Heart disease continues to claim more lives than any other condition, fueled by rising risk factors, according to the 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of U.S. and Global Data from the American Heart Association (AHA). Published in Circulation, the report underscores the urgent need for action to combat cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its associated health threats.

 

Every 34 seconds, someone in the U.S. dies from cardiovascular disease. That’s nearly 2,500 people daily. Together, heart disease and stroke account for more deaths than all cancers and accidental causes combined.

 

In 2022, CVD caused 941,652 deaths in the U.S., an increase of more than 10,000 from the previous year. The age-adjusted death rate for CVD dropped slightly, from 233.3 per 100,000 in 2021 to 224.3 per 100,000 in 2022. Despite this small improvement, overall deaths remain alarmingly high, with CVD-related fatalities appearing to level off following a surge during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The report also highlights a concerning rise in kidney disease, with its age-adjusted death rate increasing by 1.5%. Chronic kidney disease prevalence among Medicare beneficiaries jumped from 9.2% in 2011 to 14.2% in 2021, reflecting the interconnected nature of CVD, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity.

 

The report outlines alarming statistics regarding key risk factors for CVD:

  • High Blood Pressure: Nearly 47% of U.S. adults are affected.
  • Unhealthy Weight: Over 72% of adults have a BMI ≥25, with 42% classified as obese (BMI ≥30).
  • Type 2 Diabetes or Prediabetes: More than 57% of adults fall into this category.

 

Obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure are deeply intertwined. These conditions exacerbate one another, creating a cycle of worsening health outcomes. Without intervention, their prevalence is projected to skyrocket by 2050, with devastating impacts on individuals and healthcare costs.

 

Significant disparities exist across sex, race, and ethnicity:

  • Obesity: Black women have the highest prevalence at 57.9%, compared to 14.5% among Asian women.
  • Diabetes: Hispanic men lead with a 14.5% prevalence, compared to 7.7% among white women.
  • High Blood Pressure: Black women have the highest rate at 58.4%, while Hispanic women report the lowest at 35.3%.

 

The report also notes that excess weight, particularly among younger populations, is a growing concern. Nearly 40% of U.S. children have an unhealthy weight, with 20% meeting the criteria for obesity. Globally, about 60% of adults are classified as overweight or obese.

 

Excess weight now contributes to nearly 1,300 additional deaths per day in the U.S.—a staggering 500,000 annually. It reduces life expectancy by up to 2.4 years and has overtaken smoking as a leading preventable cause of death.

 

Tobacco use has declined significantly, which is a public health success. However, excess weight poses an even greater threat today, particularly for women and Black adults, who bear a disproportionate burden.

 

While advancements in medical therapies offer hope, experts emphasise the need for broader, systemic changes. Breakthrough treatments alone won’t solve this crisis. It is also important to ensure these therapies are accessible and affordable, particularly for high-risk populations.

 

Heart disease was once considered a death sentence, but advances in care have allowed people to live longer, healthier lives. The ultimate goal, however, is prevention—stopping risk factors in their tracks and ensuring health equity for all.

 

The 2025 report underscores the urgency of addressing CVD’s growing toll and the systemic inequities driving disparities in health outcomes. Only through comprehensive prevention, equitable care, and policy change can the burden of heart disease be reduced.

 

Source: American Heart Association

Image Credit: iStock 

 


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Stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics